Hohenburg (Lenggries)

The Hohenburg (previously also called Hochenburg) is a ruined medieval castle near Lenggries in Bavaria, Germany. Once a dominating centre of power in the region, it was destroyed by fire on 21 July 1717.

The castle was built on a crag overlooking the Hirschbach; the first recorded mention of it dates to around 1100. For centuries it was the major centre of power in the Isarwinkel, the region along the Isar between Bad Tölz and Wallgau. The community of log-rafters and craftsmen which grew up below it became Lenggries.

The original owners of the Hohenburg were the lords of Thann. Late in the 12th century it came into the possession of the lords of Tölz, and in 1262 passed to the Wittelsbachs. From 1294 it was in the possession of the lords of Egling, then from 1396 of the lords of Maxlrain, who substantially rebuilt and enlarged it in 1410–20. In 1522 it passed to the House of Schellenberg. Finally in 1566 Dionys von Schellenberg sold the castle and fief to his nephew Hanns Paul Herwarth, and they remained in his line until 1800.

Until the mid-16th century it remained a defensive castle; there is a legend of a tunnel under the Isar connecting it with the Neuburg on the Brauneck. From 1570 on, rebuilding changed its appearance and gave it characteristics of an aristocratic residence.

In 1705 the castle and the town were in the centre of the Bavarian People's Uprising against Austrian occupation; the first resistance was organised there. The uprising ended with Sendling's Night of Murder on Christmas Day in 1705 and the Battle of Aidenbach in January 1706.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the castle was occupied by Austrian troops and on 21 July 1707 a fire of unexplained origins spread to the entire castle within an hour and completely destroyed it. According to Judge Mayr's report to Count Herwarth, the fire broke out at about 10 o'clock in the Great Hall, which was being used as a barracks, and the hussars set up a hue and cry but evacuated the castle rather than attempt to fight it. Their lieutenant objected to the suggestion that his men had caused the fire through drunkenness or carelessness and blamed a dirty, blocked fireplace in the hall; however, several witnesses later said the fireplace had not been the source of the fire.

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